bidding over preempt

Came across this hand in a tournament. both vulnerable. East is dealer and astonishingly opened 2 diamonds - which they confirmed was a preemptive 2 bid. What should south bid? A straight 2 spades is acceptable but does not give information on true length and does not give information on the power of the hand. A Double implies more high card points.

Our results on this one were skewed because I doubt that other tables faced a 2 diamond open.

For this hand, I did not like the 2 spade bid because I thought it distorts the value of the hand. I might have doubled first and then bid the suit - after finding out something about partner's hand. It makes 5 spades - but south would like to know that north has the queen of trump.

What do you think? How should the bidding have gone to make sure we get to 4 spades.

2S over a pre-empt can be quite wide-ranging, say 11-17. Other options include 3S (strong single-suiter - needs about another ace) or 4S ("I think I can make 4S"). With eight spades I'd probably pick a straight 4S and play it there. Alternatively, over 2S it goes (3D)-3S; (p)-4S.

TylerE, on 2019-January-12, 22:28, said:

ATxxxxx really isn't that special. I think 2♠ is fine. To have a real shot at 4 partner needs either good spades or good stuff in the minors, and with either 2♠ shouldn't end the auction.

I think I swoop in with 4S, but I don't understand how to miss 4S on these cards. Surely N supported to 3S? How can S justify not bidding 4? What does the trump queen have to do with anything anyway - do you mean the trump king, the only relevant card in the suit for S?

I've noticed some people playing that a 2s bid could be as light as 11. I dislike this idea. I've always preferred disciplined overcalls, so for me, 2s would actually show a good hand (if they are weak, I am strong). Now partner, knowing I have a good hand, can compete with their 9 points. With this hand, however, I'd just cut to the chase and bid 4s.